How to Scan from brother printer to computer

Dial 1-888-966-6097 Brother printers are well-known not only for high-quality printing but also for their reliable scanning capabilities. Whether you're using Windows or macOS, learning how to scan documents from your Brother printer to your computer can help you go paperless and stay organized. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you scan using USB or Wi-Fi with ease.

🖨️ What You Need Before You Start

Before scanning, make sure you have:

A Brother All-in-One printer (with scan function)

A working USB cable or Wi-Fi connection

A computer running Windows 10/11 or macOS

The Brother scanner driver and ControlCenter4 (Windows) or iPrint&Scan software (Mac) installed

Your printer connected and turned on

🔽 Step 1: Install Brother Printer Scanner Drivers

To scan, your computer must recognize the scanner.

✅ For Windows:

Visit: https://support.brother.com

Enter your printer model (e.g., MFC-L2710DW).

Choose your Windows version.

Download and install:

Full Driver & Software Package

ControlCenter4 (optional but helpful)

✅ For Mac:

Go to the same Brother Support site.

Enter your model name.

Select your macOS version.

Download:

Brother iPrint&Scan

ICA Scanner Driver (if available)

🔁 Step 2: Connect Your Printer to the Computer

You can connect the printer in two ways:

🔌 USB Connection:

Plug the USB cable from the printer into your computer.

Ensure the printer is turned on.

🌐 Wi-Fi Connection:

Make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Use the printer's control panel to connect to Wi-Fi via WLAN Setup Wizard.

📥 Step 3: How to Scan from Brother Printer to Windows

There are two ways to scan on Windows:

🅰️ Option 1: Using ControlCenter4 (Recommended)

Launch ControlCenter4

Find it in the Start Menu or system tray.

Go to the “Scan” tab

Choose your desired option:

Image – For JPEG/PNG photos

File – For PDFs or documents

E-mail – To attach scanned file directly to email

Place your document

On the flatbed or in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)

Click “Scan”

The file will be saved to your selected location.

Change settings (optional)

Adjust DPI, scan size, file format, and save location.

🅱️ Option 2: Using Windows Scan App

Open Windows Scan (install from Microsoft Store if not available).

Select your Brother scanner from the list.

Choose:

Source (flatbed or feeder)

File type (PDF, JPEG, etc.)

Save location

Click Scan.

🍏 Step 4: How to Scan from Brother Printer to Mac

✅ Using iPrint&Scan (Brother’s Official App)

Open Brother iPrint&Scan

Download from Brother’s website or Mac App Store.

Select your Brother printer/scanner.

Place the document on the flatbed or ADF.

Click the “Scan” tab.

Choose your preferences:

Color/B&W

File type (PDF, JPEG, PNG)

Destination folder

Hit “Scan” to start scanning.

View and save the scanned file on your Mac.

🛠️ Troubleshooting: Brother Scanner Not Working?

Problem Solution

Printer not detected in ControlCenter4 Reconnect USB or re-add Wi-Fi printer in settings.

“No scanner detected” on Mac Reinstall ICA driver and reset printing system.

Scanned file not saving Check default save location in preferences.

Unable to scan via Wi-Fi Ensure printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Blank scans or half pages Make sure the document is properly aligned on the flatbed or in the ADF.

🧠 Pro Tips for Better Scanning

Use the ADF to scan multiple pages quickly.

Adjust DPI settings for high-quality scans (300+ DPI for documents).

Use PDF format for multi-page documents.

Organize scanned files into folders for easy retrieval.

Rename files immediately after saving to avoid confusion.

🔎 FAQs

Q1: Can I scan wirelessly without a USB cable?

Yes, if your printer supports Wi-Fi and both the printer and computer are on the same network.

Q2: Where are my scanned files saved?

By default:

Windows: Usually in the “Scanned Documents” or “Pictures” folder.

Mac: Set in the iPrint&Scan preferences.

Q3: Can I scan directly from the printer’s control panel?

Yes. Some Brother models allow you to scan and send to your computer or email directly using the printer touchscreen.

Q4: Why is my Brother printer connected but not scanning?

Try restarting both devices and reinstalling the drivers or scanning app. Also, make sure no firewall or antivirus is blocking communication.

📝 Conclusion

Scanning from your Brother printer to your computer is quick and easy with the right tools and setup. Whether you're using Windows or macOS, Brother’s software makes it simple to scan documents, photos, and more directly to your PC.